Traditionally, employees collecting Unemployment Insurance benefits who were expected to be recalled to work (seasonal employees) were exempt from certain requirements to conduct job searches (work search waivers). However, effective June 14, 2015, new rules require employees who are expected to be recalled within a period of 8 weeks to obtain a waiver from the department in order to be exempt from the job search requirements. Read the rest of entry »

Although few people noticed, the recently signed federal budget deal will significantly increase OSHA fines. Congress has directed OSHA to author rules that increase its penalties to account for current inflation levels, which would raise proposed fines 70-80 percent.

Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin formally endorsed Ron Johnson on Friday, citing his record of fighting against Washington overreach and burdensome regulations to help the private sector create good jobs for Wisconsin families.Read the rest of entry »

A survey from Manpower Group – a well-known staffing and workforce development company – finds that job vacancies in the skilled trades are the hardest to fill in the country. For the seventh straight year, skilled trades topped the list.Read the rest of entry »

Graduate high school, go to a four-year college, get a job. This is what many parents and guidance counselors tell their children and students nearly every day. But, there is another option that needs to be talked about: apprenticeships.Read the rest of entry »

As the economy continues to grow, it is good news for the construction industry in Wisconsin. The not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rate has dropped by 1.4 percentage points year-over-year – from an unemployment rate of 6.8 percent in September 2014 to 5.4 percent in September 2015.Read the rest of entry »

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Wisconsin announced the hiring of Nick Novak on Tuesday as Director of Marketing and Communications. Novak will replace Chris Reinhart, who recently retired.Read the rest of entry »

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is celebrating Careers in Construction Month this October by recognizing the investment its members and chapters make each year to attract and train the construction workers of the future.Read the rest of entry »